Airbag and airbag device

ABSTRACT

An airbag and airbag device are provided wherein the left airbag section and right airbag section both expand generally uniformly. An airbag comprises a right airbag section which expands at the right side ahead of the passenger, and a left airbag section which expands at the left side ahead of the passenger. Openings are provided on the facing faces of the right airbag section and the left airbag section at a portion partway along the direction of expansion, the perimeter portions of the openings and are sewn together. The inner space of the right airbag section and the left airbag section communicate through the openings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an airbag and airbag device forprotecting passengers at the time of a vehicle colliding or the like,and particularly relates to an airbag and airbag device having a leftairbag section and right airbag section which expand at the left sideand right side ahead of the passenger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As an airbag for protecting passengers at the time of a vehiclecolliding or the like, Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 4-292239 discloses an airbag having a left airbagsection and right airbag section which expand at the left side and rightside ahead of the passenger, both of which are expanded by a commoninflator. With the airbag in the Publication, the tip portions of theleft airbag section and right airbag section are linked with each otherby a tie panel.

This airbag is folded and stored in a case, and is covered with a cover.Upon the inflator (gas generator) operating to discharge gas at the timeof the vehicle colliding, the airbag pushes open the cover whileexpanding toward the front of the passenger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the airbag in the above Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 4-292239, more gas flows into one or the other of theleft airbag section and right airbag section from the inflator at thetime of the airbag sections inflating, and there is the danger thatinflation of one airbag section might be delayed as compared to theother airbag section.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag and airbagdevice wherein the left airbag section and right airbag section bothexpand generally uniformly.

With the airbag disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 4-292239, the tip portions of the left airbag sectionand right airbag section are linked with each other by a tie panel, soupon the airbag expanding, the lateral center of the body of thepassenger is received by the tie panel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag and airbagdevice configured in one arrangement such that the inflated left airbagsection receives the left chest of the passenger, and the right airbagsection receives the right chest thereof, with a open space portion ofthe inflated airbag facing the lateral center of the chest of thepassenger.

The airbag according to the present invention is an airbag of which tipside expands in a direction away from the base end by emitted gas froman inflator disposed at the base end, the airbag comprising: a leftairbag section which expands at the left side ahead of the passenger;and a right airbag section which expands at the right side ahead of thepassenger; wherein the left airbag section and the right airbag sectionare joined together at a portion partway along the direction ofexpansion, and also communicate at this joined portion.

In one form of the present invention, openings are provided to each ofthe opposing faces of the left airbag section and the right airbagsection, with the edge portions of each of the openings joined together,and the left airbag section and right airbag section communicating viathe openings.

In this case, the edge portions of the openings may be configureddirectly joined one to another, or may be configured joined one toanother via a duct member.

The airbag device according to the present invention comprises theairbag according to the present invention.

With the airbag according to the present invention, the left airbagsection and the right airbag section are joined together at a portionpartway along the direction of expansion, and also communicate at thisjoined portion, so while expanding, gas moves between the left airbagsection and the right airbag section through this joined portion(communicating portion). Accordingly, even in the event that more gasflows from the inflator into one of the left airbag section and theright airbag section than the other, the internal pressure of the leftairbag section and the right airbag section is generally uniform, andaccording expansion is generally uniform.

Also, even in the event that one of the left airbag section and theright airbag section starts to expand before the other, the left airbagsection and the right airbag section are joined together at a portionpartway along the direction of expansion, so the airbag section whichhas started to expand first pulls the airbag section which is slower inexpanding in the direction of expansion so as to promote expansionthereof, and accordingly both expand generally uniformly.

With the present invention, openings are provided to each of theopposing faces of the left airbag section and the right airbag section,with the edge portions of each of the openings joined together, and theleft airbag section and right airbag section communicating via theopenings, whereby a configuration wherein the left airbag section andthe right airbag section are joined together at a portion partway alongthe direction of expansion, while both communicating at this joinedportion, can be easily configured.

In the event of configuring the edge portions of the openings directlyjoined one to another, the configuration of the airbag can be madeextremely simple.

Also, in the event of configuring the edge portions of the openingsjoined one to another via a duct member, the left airbag section and theright airbag section can be made to be joined and communicate throughthe duct member even in the event that a gap (open space) is formedtherebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the airbag according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the airbag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a panelconfiguration of the airbag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fabrication proceduresof the airbag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fabrication proceduresof the airbag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fabrication proceduresof the airbag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fabrication proceduresof the airbag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top cross-sectional view of the airbag according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a frontal view of the airbag partway fabricated shown in FIG.8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an expanded state of the anairbag 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 isa top cross-sectional view of the airbag 10, and FIG. 3 is adisassembled perspective view of the airbag 10. Also, FIGS. 4 through 7are explanatory diagrams illustrating the procedures for fabricatingthis airbag 10.

This airbag 10 comprises a right airbag section 12 which expands at theright side ahead of the passenger, a left airbag section 14 whichexpands at the left side ahead of the passenger, and a rear chamber 16communicating with the base end of the right airbag section 12 and theleft airbag section 14. A gas port (reference numeral omitted) of aninflator 71 is disposed within the rear chamber 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the state that this airbag 10 is inflated, thereare no bridge members such as tie panels between the tip portions of theright airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14, with the openspace 13 formed between the tip portions of the bags 12 and 14 beingopened toward the passenger (i.e., in the direction toward the right inFIG. 2).

In the state that the airbag 10 has completed expanding, the gap betweenthe tip of the right airbag section 12 and the tip of the left airbagsection 14 is preferably 150 to 350 mm, more preferably 170 to 330 mm.

Vent holes 18 are provided on the outer side faces of the right airbagsection 12 and left airbag section and 14.

With this airbag 10, openings 80 are provided to both the right airbagsection 12 and the left airbag section 14 facing one another at thepartway portion in the direction of expansion (the right side 20R andleft side 20L of the later-described inside panel 20), and the perimeterportions of the openings 80 and 80 are sewn together so as toconcentrically overlap. The reference character H in FIG. 2 indicatesthe stitches. That is to say, the airbag 10 has the partway portion inthe direction of expansion of the right airbag section 12 and thepartway portion in the direction of expansion of the left airbag section14 linked by the openings 80 and 80 being sewn at the perimeter portionsthereof, with the interior space of both the bags 12 and 14communicating via the openings 80 and 80.

Note that means for joining the perimeter portions of the openings 80and 80 may be joining means other than sewing, such as adhesion orfusing, depending on the material and the like of the panel making theseup, or these may be combined. Also, a sealing material or the like maybe introduced between the perimeter portions of the openings 80 and 80.

With this embodiment, the openings 80 and 80 and the vent holes 18 and18 are at positions which do not face one another. That is to say, theopenings 80 and 80 and the vent holes 18 and 18 are placed such that thecenter axial lines thereof do not mutually overlap, with the openings 80and 80 each facing the outer panels of the right airbag section 12 andthe left airbag section 14 (the later-described right outer panel 30 andleft outer panel 40), and with the vent holes 18 and 18 each facing theinner panels of the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section14 (the right side portion 20R and left side portion 20L of thelater-described inside panel 20). Note that in the present invention,the openings 80 and 80 and the vent holes 18 and 18 may be placed suchthat each faces one another.

The inflator 71 is rod-shaped in the present embodiment, with partwayportions in the longitudinal direction thereof being gas port. As shownin FIG. 2, with the present embodiment, one pair of parallel slits 70and 70 are provided on a panel making up the lower face side of the rearchamber 16 (the bottom portion of the later-described base end panel50), and the gas port of the inflator 71 is disposed via the slits 70and 70 within the rear chamber 16. Note that both end portions of theinflator 71 are disposed outside of the airbag 10 via the slits 70 and70.

The panel configuration and fabrication procedures of the airbag 10 willbe described now.

The airbag 10 comprises an inside panel 20, right outside panel 30, leftoutside panel 40, and base end panel 50, a total of 4 panels.

The inside panel 20 is a generally gourd-shaped long and slender panel,and is folded into two at the center to form the right side portion 20Rand left side portion 20L. With the inside panel 20, the right side 20Rmakes up the inner side face of the right airbag section 12, and theleft side 20L makes up the inner side face of the left airbag section14. The inside panel 20 has the edge portions along the entire perimeterformed as the lower edge 28, the tip edge 21, and the upper edge 22 ofthe right side 20R; the upper edge 23 around the fold-back portionmaking up the deepest portion of the recess of the airbag; the upperedge 24, the tip edge 25, and the lower edge 26 of the left side 20L;and the lower edge 27 around the fold-back portion. An aforementionedopening 80 is provided to each the right side 20R and left side 20L.

The right outside panel 30 and left outside panel 40 have the edgeportions along the entire perimeter formed as the tip edges 31 and 41,the upper edges 32 and 42, the straight rear edges 33 and 43, and thelower edges 34 and 44, respectively.

The base end panel 50 has a right side face 50A, a base face 50B, a leftside face 50C, a right flap 50D making up the upper right side, and aleft flap 50E making up the upper left side. The base end panel 50 isfolded such that the side faces 50A and 50C form general triangularforms, with the face facing the tip side of the airbag being opened.

The base end panel has the entire perimeter formed of the facing edges51 and 52 of the generally-rectangular flaps 50D and 50E, the frontedges 53 and 54 of the flaps 50D and 50E (front edges of the flaps),rear edges 55 and 56 of the flaps 50D and 50E, the rear edge 57 facingthe rear edges 55 and 56, the front edges 58 and 59 of the side faces50A and 50C (the side front edges), and the bottom front edge 60connecting the side front edges 58 and 59.

To fabricate the airbag 10, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside panel20 is laid out flat, the right side 20R of the inside panel 20 and theright outside panel 30 are made to face such that the faces of bothfacing outwards (the faces exposed externally when formed as an airbagproduct, hereafter the same) are made to face one another, and the tipedges 21 and 31 are sewn to each other, and also the upper edges 22 and32, and lower edges 28 and 34, respectively. Also, the left side 20R ofthe inside panel 20 and the left outside panel 40 are made to face suchthat the faces of both facing outwards are made to face one another, andthe tip edges 25 and 41 are sewn to each other, and also the upper edges24 and 42, and lower edges 26 and 44, respectively. The referencecharacter S denotes the stitches.

This sewing forms the right airbag section 12 and the left airbagsection 14 in an inside-out state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the right airbag section 12 is turnedright-side-out through the opening M between the rear edge 33 of theright outside panel 30 and the inside panel 20, and also the left airbagsection 14 is turned right-side-out through the opening M between therear edge 43 of the left outside panel 40 and the inside panel 20. Thus,the stitches are prevented from being exposed on the outer face of theright airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear edge 33 of the right outside panel 30is peeled back to the tip side of the right airbag section 12 so as toexpose the opening 80 of the right side 20R, and the rear edge 43 of theleft outside panel 40 is peeled back to the tip side of the left airbagsection 14 so as to expose the opening 80 of the left side 20L, and theperimeter portions of the openings 80 and 80 are concentricallyoverlapped and sewn. The reference character H in FIG. 6 illustrates thestitches.

As for the base panel 50, the facing edges 51 and 52 of the flaps 50Dand 50E are sewn together beforehand, following which the rear edges 55and 56 of the flaps 50D and 50E which have become a singular edge due tothis stitching are sewn to the rear edge 57.

Note that in this embodiment, the seams of the edges 51 and 52, and theedges 55, 56, and 57, are outside of the airbag exterior, but theseseams may be on the inner side of the airbag. In this case, at the timeof sewing the edges 51 and 52, and the edges 55, 56, and 57, the edgesare overlapped and sewn such that the outwards-facing faces when formedas an airbag product are made to face one another, thereby forming theairbag base end in an inside-out state, following which the base endpanel 50 is tuned right-side-out.

Subsequently, the side front edge 58, the flap front edges 53 and 54,the side front edge 59, and the base front edge 60 of the base end panel50, are each sewn to the rear edge 33 of the right outside panel 30, theupper edge 23 around the fold-back portion of the inside panel 20, therear edge 43 of the left outside panel 40, and the lower edge 27 aroundthe fold-back portion of the inside panel 20, respectively.

Thus, the airbag 10 product shown in FIG. 1 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 2, two generally parallel slits 70 and 70 are providedon the base face of the base end panel 50, with an inflator 71 beingpassed through the slits 70 and 70.

The airbag 10 is mounted to a passenger seat airbag device in order toprotect the passenger in the passenger seat in the event of the vehiclecolliding.

Though omitted in the drawings, the airbag 10 is folded and stored in acase (container), and a lid is placed on the case so as to cover thefolded member of the airbag 10, thereby making up the airbag device. Thelid is formed so as to be torn open by the pressing force of the airbag10 at the time of the airbag 10 expanding.

The airbag device is installed in an airbag device installation openingprovided on the upper face of the instrument panel in front of thepassenger seat in an automobile.

With this airbag device, the inflator 71 performs gas dischargeoperations in the event of the vehicle colliding. The gas from theinflator 71 first inflates the rear chamber 16, and then flows into theright airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 and expandsthese.

With the airbag 10, the rear chamber 16 which has expanded first comesinto contact with the instrument panel, and the attitude thereof isstabilized. Accordingly, the attitude of the right airbag section 12 andthe left airbag section 14 is stable not only when inflation iscompleted but also during inflation.

With the airbag 10, the right airbag section 12 and the left airbagsection 14 both communicate through openings 80 and 80 provided on thefacing faces of the bags 12 and 14 at the partway portions in thedirection of expansion thereof, so while expanding, the gas movesbetween the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14through the openings 80 and 80. Accordingly, even in the event that moregas flows from the rear chamber 16 into one of the left airbag section14 and the right airbag section 12 than the other, the internal pressureof the left airbag section 14 and the right airbag section 12 isgenerally uniform since the gas flows into the other airbag section aswell through the openings 80 and 80, and according expansion isgenerally uniform.

Also, the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 arelinked to each other at the partway portions in the direction ofexpansion thereof by the openings 80 and 80 having been sewn together atthe perimeter portions thereof, so even in the event that one of theright airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 starts to expandbefore the other, the airbag section which has started to expand firstpulls the airbag section which is slower in expanding in the directionof expansion so as to promote expansion thereof, and accordingly bothexpand generally uniformly.

In the state that the inflation of the airbag 10 is completed, the openspace 13 formed in a recessed shape between the tip portions of the bags12 and 14 is created, and the open space 13 is opened toward thepassenger. The inflated right airbag section 12 receives the right chestof the passenger, the inflated left airbag section 14 receives the leftchest, and the open space 13 faces around the sternum. Accordingly, thereaction force placed on the sternum at the time of being received bythe airbag is small.

FIG. 8 is a top cross-sectional view of the airbag 10A according toanother embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a frontalview of this airbag 10A partway fabricated.

This airbag 10A is an arrangement wherein the perimeter portions of theopenings 80 and 80 formed on each of the facing faces of the rightairbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 partway along thedirection of expansion (the right side 20R and left side 20L of theinside panel 20) are connected by a duct 90. In the present embodiment,the duct 90 is made up of a duct section 90R attached to the right side20R of the inside panel 20, and duct section 90L attached to the leftside 20L.

The following is a description of the panel configuration andfabrication procedures of the airbag 10A.

The airbag 10A also comprises an outer shell of an inside panel 20,right outside panel 30, left outside panel 40, and base end panel 50.The configuration of the panels are the same as those making up theouter shell of the airbag 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 as describedabove, and description of the panels in the following will refer to FIG.3 and others.

In the present embodiment, the duct sections 90R and 90L making up theduct 90 are generally donut-shaped sheet members having a center opening(reference numeral omitted).

To fabricate the airbag 10A, first, the duct section 90R is disposed onthe outward-facing face of the right side 20R of the inside panel 20(the face exposed externally when formed as an airbag product), and theperimeter portion of the opening 80 formed on the right side 20R is sewnto the perimeter portion of the center opening of the duct section 90R(edge portion of the inner perimeter of the duct section 90R); and theduct section 90L is disposed on the outward-facing face of the left side20L of the inside panel 20, and the perimeter portion of the opening 80formed on the left side 20L is sewn to the perimeter portion of thecenter opening of the duct section 90L. The reference characters H1 inFIG. 8 denote the stitches of this sewing.

Next, the base panel 50 is laid out flat, and the rear edge 33 of theright outside panel 30 and the rear edge 43 of the left outside panel 40are each sewn to the front edges 58 and 59 of the base end panel 50,respectively. Next, the facing edges 51 and 52 of the flaps 50D and 50Eof the base end panel 50 are sewn together. Subsequently, the rightoutside panel 30 and the right side 20R of the inside panel 20 are madeto face one another, and the tip edges 21 and 31 are sewn to each other,and also the upper edges 22 and 32, and lower edges 28 and 34,respectively. Also, the left outside panel 40 and the left side 20L ofthe inside panel 20 are made to face one another, and the tip edges 25and 41 are sewn to each other, and also the upper edges 24 and 42, andlower edges 26 and 44, respectively. Also, the flap front edges 53 and54 of the base end panel 50 are sewn to the upper edge 23 around thefold-back portion of the inside panel 20, and the base front edge 60 ofthe base end panel 50 is sewn to the lower edge 27 around the fold-backportion.

This sewing forms the airbag 10A in an inside-out state, i.e., in astate wherein the seams are exposed on the surface of the airbag. Notethat at this time, the flap rear edges 55 and 56 and the rear edge 57 ofthe base end panel 50 are not sewn yet, and in this state form anopening.

Now, the airbag is turned right-side-out through this opening. Sewingthis opening then configures the airbag outer shell with the seams ofthe members within the inside.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the edge portions on the outerperimeters of the duct sections 90L and 90R which have been attachedbeforehand on the outward-facing faces of the right side 20R and leftside 20L of the inside panel 20 are sewn together. The referencecharacter H2 in FIG. 8 denotes the stitches. Accordingly, a cylindricalduct 90 formed of the duct sections 90L and 90R is formed, and the facesof the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 facingeach other at the partway portions in the direction of expansion arejoined through the duct 90, and the airbag 10A shown in FIG. 8 whereinthe right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 communicatethrough the duct 90 and openings 80 and 80 is completed.

The two generally parallel slits 70 and 70 are provided on the bottomface portion of the base end panel 50, with this embodiment as well,with an inflator 71 being passed through the slits 70 and 70.

This airbag 10A also is mounted to a passenger seat airbag device inorder to protect the passenger in the passenger seat in the event of thevehicle colliding.

The other configurations of the airbag 10A and the configuration of theairbag device having the airbag 10A are the same as the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1 through 7 described above. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the componentswhich have the same reference symbols as with FIGS. 1 through 7illustrate the same portions.

With this airbag 10A as well, the right airbag section 12 and the leftairbag section 14 both communicate through openings 80 and 80 providedon the facing faces of the bags 12 and 14 at the partway portions in thedirection of expansion thereof, and through the duct 90 connecting theperimeter portion of the openings 80 and 80, so while expanding, the gasmoves between the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14through the openings 80 and 80 and the duct 90. Accordingly, even in theevent that more gas flows from the rear chamber 16 into one of the rightairbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 than the other, afterthe gas is supplied from the inflator 71 the internal pressure of theright airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 is generallyuniform since the gas flows into the other airbag section through theopenings 80 and 80 and the duct 90, and according expansion is generallyuniform.

Also, the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 arelinked to each other at the partway portions in the direction ofexpansion thereof by the openings 80 and 80 having been connected at theperimeter portions thereof by the duct 90, so even in the event that oneof the right airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 starts toexpand before the other, so the airbag section which has started toexpand first pulls the airbag section which is slower in expanding inthe direction of expansion so as to promote expansion thereof, andaccordingly both expand generally uniformly.

With the airbag 10A, in the state that the inflation is completed, theopen space 13 formed in a recessed shape between the tip portions of theright airbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 is created, andthe open space 13 is opened toward the passenger. The inflated rightairbag section 12 receives the right chest of the passenger, theinflated left airbag section 14 receives the left chest, and the openspace 13 faces around the sternum. Accordingly, the reaction forceplaced on the sternum at the time of being received by the airbag issmall.

With the airbag 10A, the perimeter portions of the openings 80 and 80formed on the facing faces of the right airbag section 12 and the leftairbag section 14 are joined with the duct 90, so even in the event thatthe open space 13 is formed deeply toward the base end of the rightairbag section 12 and the left airbag section 14 for example, and thefacing faces of the bags 12 and 14 are distanced one from another,communication between the right airbag section 12 and the left airbagsection 14 can be ensured through the openings 80 and 80 and the duct90.

Each of the above embodiments are only examples of the presentinvention, and the present invention is not restricted to the aboveembodiments.

1. An airbag comprising: an airbag body that is deployed for inflationthereof; a first, lateral portion of the airbag body for being deployedin a predetermined rearward deployment direction toward a vehicleoccupant; a second, lateral portion of the airbag body for beingdeployed in the predetermined rearward deployment direction toward thevehicle occupant; the first and second lateral portions being ofsubstantially the same configuration; rearward ends of the respectivefirst and second lateral portions that are spaced from each other in alateral direction transverse to the rearward deployment direction topresent an open gap adjacent the vehicle occupant upon inflation of theairbag body including the lateral portions thereof; and a lateralopening in the airbag body that permits gas flow to both lateralportions for inflation thereof; wherein the lateral opening has arearward end portion forwardly of the rearward ends of the airbag bodylateral portions with the lateral portions interconnected at therearward end portion of the lateral opening, and the rearward endportion curves rearwardly toward the rearward ends of the lateralportions.
 2. The airbag of claim 1 wherein the lateral portions have thesame height and the open gap therebetween extends for the full heightthereof.
 3. The airbag of claim 2 wherein the height of the lateralportions varies to generally increase in size in the rearward deploymentdirection.
 4. An airbag comprising: an airbag body that is deployed forinflation thereof; a first, lateral portion of the airbag body for beingdeployed in a predetermined rearward deployment direction toward avehicle occupant; a second, lateral portion of the airbag body for beingdeployed in the predetermined rearward deployment direction toward thevehicle occupant; the first and second lateral portions being ofsubstantially the same configuration; rearward ends of the respectivefirst and second lateral portions that are spaced from each other in alateral direction transverse to the rearward deployment direction topresent an open gap adjacent the vehicle occupant upon inflation of theairbag body including the lateral portions thereof; and a lateralopening in the airbag body that permits gas flow to both lateralportions for inflation thereof; wherein the lateral portions have thesame height and the open gap therebetween extends for the full heightthereof, and the open gap comprises a recess between the lateralportions that is interrupted by the lateral opening which has a heightless than the height of the lateral portions.
 5. The airbag of claim 4wherein the lateral opening has a rearward end portion forwardly of therearward ends of the airbag body lateral portions with the lateralportions interconnected at the rearward end portion of the lateralopening.
 6. The airbag of claim 5 wherein the lateral portions have thesame height that is sized relative to the lateral opening so that thereare sections of the lateral portions that extend above and below thelateral opening at the rearward end portion thereof.
 7. The airbag ofclaim 4 wherein the airbag body has a pair of additional lateralopenings to allow inflation gas to flow generally in the lateraldirection therethrough.
 8. An airbag comprising: an airbag body that isdeployed for inflation thereof; a first, lateral portion of the airbagbody for being deployed in a predetermined rearward deployment directiontoward a vehicle occupant; a second, lateral portion of the airbag bodyfor being deployed in the predetermined rearward deployment directiontoward the vehicle occupant; the first and second lateral portions beingof substantially the same configuration; rearward ends of the respectivefirst and second lateral portions that are spaced from each other in alateral direction transverse to the rearward deployment direction topresent an open gap adjacent the vehicle occupant upon inflation of theairbag body including the lateral portions thereof; and a lateralopening in the airbag body that permits gas flow to both lateralportions for inflation thereof; wherein the lateral opening has arearward end portion forwardly of the rearward ends of the airbag bodylateral portions with the lateral portions interconnected at therearward end portion of the lateral opening, and the lateral openingcomprises a rear laterally extending portion of the airbag body.
 9. Anairbag comprising: an airbag body that is deployed for inflationthereof; a first, lateral portion of the airbag body for being deployedin a predetermined rearward deployment direction toward a vehicleoccupant; a second, lateral portion of the airbag body for beingdeployed in the predetermined rearward deployment direction toward thevehicle occupant; the first and second lateral portions being ofsubstantially the same configuration; rearward ends of the respectivefirst and second lateral portions that are spaced from each other in alateral direction transverse to the rearward deployment direction topresent an open gap adjacent the vehicle occupant upon inflation of theairbag body including the lateral portions thereof; and a lateralopening in the airbag body that permits gas flow to both lateralportions for inflation thereof; wherein the airbag body has a pair ofadditional lateral openings to allow inflation gas to flow generally inthe lateral direction therethrough, and the pair of additional lateralopenings comprises one of the pair of additional lateral openings beingassociated with the first, lateral portion of the airbag body, and theother of the pair of additional lateral openings being associated withthe second, lateral portion of the airbag body.
 10. An airbagcomprising: an airbag body that is deployed for inflation thereof; afirst, lateral portion of the airbag body for being deployed in apredetermined rearward deployment direction toward a vehicle occupant; asecond, lateral portion of the airbag body for being deployed in thepredetermined rearward deployment direction toward the vehicle occupant;the first and second lateral portions being of substantially the sameconfiguration; rearward ends of the respective first and second lateralportions that are spaced from each other in a lateral directiontransverse to the rearward deployment direction to present an open gapadjacent the vehicle occupant upon inflation of the airbag bodyincluding the lateral portions thereof; and a lateral opening in theairbag body that permits gas flow to both lateral portions for inflationthereof; wherein the airbag body has a pair of additional lateralopenings to allow inflation gas to flow generally in the lateraldirection therethrough, and the pair of additional lateral openings aregenerally laterally aligned across the airbag body from each other, andthe lateral portions each include a vent that is offset in the rearwarddeployment direction from the aligned pair of additional lateralopenings.
 11. An airbag device for a passenger compartment of a vehicle,the airbag device comprising: an airbag for being deployed in a rearwarddeployment direction toward a vehicle occupant; left and right airbagsections of the airbag; a forward deployment end portion of the airbag;a left, rearward occupant engagement end portion of the left airbagsection; a right, rearward occupant engagement end portion of the rightairbag section; left and right laterally facing inner surfaces of theleft and right airbag sections that extend forwardly from the respectiveleft and right rearward occupant engagement end portions and which arelaterally spaced from each other in a lateral direction transverse tothe rearward deployment direction to form an open gap between the airbagsections adjacent the vehicle occupant; a recess extending forwardlyfrom the open gap between the left and right laterally facing innersurfaces; a laterally facing communication opening in the airbag incommunication with the left and right airbag sections for flow ofinflation gas to both airbag sections; and a rearward edge portion ofthe communication opening that interrupts the forwardly extending recessand interconnects the left and right airbag sections.
 12. The airbagdevice of claim 11 wherein the rearward edge portion comprises a directconnection between the laterally facing inner surfaces of the left andright airbag sections.
 13. The airbag device of claim 11 wherein therearward edge portion curves to project rearwardly and is oriented sothat upper and lower portions of the left and right airbag sections arehigher and lower, respectively, than the curved, rearward edge portion.14. The airbag device of claim 11 wherein the left and right airbagsections have the same size and configuration with the left and rightairbag sections increasing in size in the rearward deployment directionbetween the forward end deployment portion and the rearward, occupantengagement end portions of the left and right airbag sections.
 15. Incombination, a vehicle and airbag device, the combination comprising: apassenger compartment of the vehicle; a passenger seat for a vehicleoccupant; an instrument panel of the passenger compartment; a case ofthe airbag device mounted to the instrument panel; an airbag in the casefor being deployed in a rearward deployment direction from theinstrument panel rearwardly toward the passenger seat during vehicleemergency conditions; a rear protection portion of the airbag adjacentthe vehicle seat upon airbag inflation; left and right restrainingportions of the inflated airbag rear protection portion that aredisposed side-by-side in a lateral direction transverse to the rearwarddeployment direction; a recess between the inflated left and rightrestraining portions for suppressing reaction force on a portion of thepassenger received therein during vehicle emergency conditions; and aforward laterally extending portion of the airbag that engages theinstrument panel upon airbag deployment for controlling positioning ofthe airbag left and right restraining portions during inflation thereofand providing for communication and gas flow therebetween; wherein theairbag has an intermediate connection in the rearward deploymentdirection between the left and right restraining portions that is at aforward end of the recess therebetween.
 16. The combination of claim 15wherein the passenger seat has left and right sides, and the left andright restraining portions of the inflated airbag are generally alignedwith the corresponding left and right sides of the passenger seat sothat the recess between the inflated left and right restraining portionsare generally aligned centrally between the left and right sides of thepassenger seat.
 17. In combination, a vehicle and airbag device, thecombination comprising: a passenger compartment of the vehicle; apassenger seat for a vehicle occupant; an instrument panel of thepassenger compartment; a case of the airbag device mounted to theinstrument panel; an airbag in the case for being deployed in a rearwarddeployment direction from the instrument panel rearwardly toward thepassenger seat during vehicle emergency conditions; a rear protectionportion of the airbag adjacent the vehicle seat upon airbag inflation;left and right restraining portions of the inflated airbag rearprotection portion that are disposed side-by-side in a lateral directiontransverse to the rearward deployment direction; a recess between theinflated left and right restraining portions for suppressing reactionforce on a portion of the passenger received therein during vehicleemergency conditions; and a forward laterally extending portion of theairbag that engages the instrument panel upon airbag deployment forcontrolling positioning of the airbag left and right restrainingportions during inflation thereof and providing for communication andgas flow therebetween; wherein the airbag has an intermediate connectionin the rearward deployment direction between the left and rightrestraining portions that is at a rearward end of the airbag forwardlaterally extending portion.
 18. In combination, a vehicle and airbagdevice, the combination comprising: a passenger compartment of thevehicle; a passenger seat for a vehicle occupant; an instrument panel ofthe passenger compartment; a case of the airbag device mounted to theinstrument panel; an airbag in the case for being deployed in a rearwarddeployment direction from the instrument panel rearwardly toward thepassenger seat during vehicle emergency conditions; a rear protectionportion of the airbag adjacent the vehicle seat upon airbag inflation;left and right restraining portions of the inflated airbag rearprotection portion that are disposed side-by-side in a lateral directiontransverse to the rearward deployment direction; a recess between theinflated left and right restraining portions for suppressing reactionforce on a portion of the passenger received therein during vehicleemergency conditions; and a forward laterally extending portion of theairbag that engages the instrument panel upon airbag deployment forcontrolling positioning of the airbag left and right restrainingportions during inflation thereof and providing for communication andgas flow therebetween; wherein the airbag has a pair of inner, facingwalls of the left and right restraining portions for extending in therearward deployment direction along either side of the recess, and apair of outer walls of the left and right restraining portions forextending in the rearward deployment direction laterally spaced from acorresponding one of the pair of inner walls, the airbag furthercomprising three panels for forming the outer and inner wall pairs withone enlarged panel having a symmetrical, butterfly configuration withside symmetrical portions for being folded in half so that the sidesymmetrical portions generally form one of the outer and inner wallpairs and the other two panels having configurations generallycorresponding to the side symmetrical portions of the enlarged panel forforming the other of the outer and inner wall pairs.
 19. The combinationof claim 18 wherein the inflated airbag has a generally conicalconfiguration with airbag enlarging in the rearward deployment directionso that the airbag forward portion is smaller than the airbag rearwardportion.
 20. The combination of claim 18 wherein each of the sidesymmetrical portions is connected about the outer periphery thereof to acorresponding one of the other two panels about the outer peripherythereof for forming the left and right restraining portions, and aninner connection between the panels or panel portions forming the pairof inner walls with the inner connection forming an edge of a lateralcommunication port between the airbag left and right restrainingportions.